The industrial production index (IPI) of Malaysia grew at a slower pace of 2.7% in May after registering growth of 3.0% in April 2016 due to the decline in the mining index by 1.1%.
However, the manufacturing and electricity sectors continue to expand by registering growth of 3.6% and 9.6%, respectively, according to the Department of Statistics.
Manufacturing output increased 3.6% in May, propelled by three major sub-sectors: electrical and electronics products (8.3%); petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products (5.1%); and non-metallic mineral products, basic metal and fabricated metal products (5.8%).
The electricity sector’s output rose at a stronger rate of 9.6% in May after registering an expansion of 9.4% in the preceding month.
Meanwhile, the mining sector declined 1.1% as compared to the marginal growth of 0.6% registered in April 2016 due to the 5.2% decrease in the crude oil index. The natural gas index increased by 4.5%, however.
The department also reported that the sales value of the manufacturing sector in May 2016 increased marginally by 2.0% to reach MYR51.8 billion as compared to MYR50.8 billion reported a year ago.
Productivity increased by 2.3% as compared with the same month of the previous year.
Photo: Night Lantern
